Political leadership must build trust for national integration: Meghalaya CM
The Hindu
“For most of the last 75 years, issues of the northeast were not understood and policies were framed by people sitting in Delhi. It leads to an erosion of trust.”
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Sunday emphasised the role of political leadership in building trust among all sections of people for greater integration as a nation.
He also underlined the importance of cultural exchange between different parts of the country, especially among children and youth, for a better understanding of different aspects of each other's lives.
"For greater integration, the most important role is of the political leadership. They must see the different aspects of integration and take the right steps for achieving it," Mr. Sangma said.
He was speaking at the inaugural day of a two-day conclave on the theme of ‘Celebrating Contribution of India’s North East Region in Nation Building’, being held under the aegis of the Eastern Command headquarters of the Army, with support of the NE states and North Eastern Zone Cultural Council (NEZCC).
Mr. Sangma pointed out that building trust was essential to bring all stakeholders together, especially in a region like the northeast.
“For most of the last 75 years, issues of the northeast were not understood and policies were framed by people sitting in Delhi. It leads to an erosion of trust.”
"There are inter-tribe, inter-community issues here, and policy intervention has been in the wrong direction at times. It leads to one section feeling deprived," the Meghalaya chief minister said.
In 2021, five women from Mayithara, four of them MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) workers, found a common ground in their desire to create a sustainable livelihood by growing vegetables. Rajamma M., Mary Varkey, Valsala L., Elisho S., and Praseeda Sumesh, aged between 70 and 39, pooled their savings, rented a piece of land and began their collective vegetable farming journey under the Deepam Krishi group.